Facts & Stats

Did you know?

Approximately 20% of youth ages 13-18 experience severe mental disorders in a given year. For ages 8 to 15, the estimate is 13%.

About 9.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and addictions disorders.

Approximately 26% of homeless adults staying in shelters live with serious mental illness.

Approximately 46% of homeless adults staying in shelters live with severe mental illness and/or substance use disorders.

Approximately 20% of state prisoners have a recent history of a mental health condition.

At least 20% of youth in juvenile justice systems live with a severe mental illness.

Treatment facts:

70-90% of individuals with mental illness saw improvement in their symptoms and quality of life after participating in some form of treatment. (National Institute of Mental Illness)

50% of all chronic mental illness begins by 14; 75% by age 24. (National Institute of Mental Illness)

African American and Hispanic Americans seek mental health services at about 50% the rate of whites in the past year and Asian Americans at about 33% the rate. (National Institute of Mental Illness)

Approximately 60% of adults and 50% of children (age 8-15) with a mental illness received no services in the prior year. (National Institute of Mental Illness)

The Impact:

Persons living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions. (National Institute of Mental Illness)

Adults living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than other Americans, largely due to treatable medical conditions. (National Institute of Mental Illness)

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. (more common than homicide) and the 3rd leading cause of death for ages 15 to 24 years. More than 90% of those who die by suicide had one or more mental disorders. (National Institute of Mental Illness)